The Concept of “Bucket Filling”
Based on the Book “Have You Filled a Bucket” by Carol McCloud
Each of us possesses an invisible bucket. It is constantly being filled or emptied, depending on how positively we interact with the people around us. When our buckets are full, we feel great. When our bucket is empty, we feel awful.
When we fill other people’s buckets - by saying or doing things that are kind, caring, helpful, or encouraging - we also fill our own bucket. A full bucket gives us a positive outlook and renewed energy. We also have the capacity to dip into other’s buckets - by saying or doing things that are hurtful, thoughtless, mean, or cruel. When we dip into others’ buckets, we empty our own bucket as well. Sometimes our bucket feels empty when something unpleasant happens or when we forget to be kind to others.
So we face a choice every day, all day long: we can fill one another’s buckets, creating positive feelings that spread among the people we interact with during the day or we can dip from them. It’s an important choice - one that affects our relationships, work, health, and happiness.
Choose kind. Be a bucket filler!